Milan have signed Italian goalkeeper Flavio Roma from French side Monaco on a one-year deal, while letting Australian keeper Zeljko Kalac go, the Serie A club said.

"Milan thank Kalac for what he did during his time at the club and wish him the best for the future," a club statement said, adding that the contract had been cancelled by mutual consent.

Kalac joined Milan in 2005 but he was rarely their first-choice option.

Milan have three other keepers on their books, but only Marco Storari is fully fit, with Dida and Christian Abbiati both fighting to recover from injury.

Ronaldo recovering from surgery

Brazil's Ronaldo said he would be back in a month after surgery on a broken hand but was enigmatic about reports he also had weight reducing liposuction.

"We have a period of one month for the consolidation of the bone," Ronaldo, who had surgery on his left hand two weeks ago, said.

Asked if he had had liposuction and if he thought it could help him, Ronaldo said: "I don't know, I don't even know if I did it. These are things we don't know... What I do with my private life is my business."

Ronaldo was injured when he fell badly during Corinthians' 3-0 defeat by arch rivals Palmeiras on July 26.

Romario sells up to clear debts

Troubled Brazilian footballer Romario, once considered one of the world's top strikers, has been forced to sell his luxury penthouse apartment in a bid to fight crippling debts.

The 43-year-old Romario, who helped Brazil to World Cup victory in 1994, has seen his life spiral out of control in recent years and is still facing a three-and-a-half year prison sentence and fine of $900,000 for tax evasion.

He is also currently the subject of an investigation into illegal betting and recently was taken to court for unpaid alimony owed to his first wife.

Romario put his seaside apartment, valued at nearly five million US dollars, up for sale and it was snapped up at auction within 20 minutes for $4.37 million.

Sunderland's Da Silva gets go-ahead

Paraguay defender Paulo Da Silva has finally been given the green light to join Sunderland ahead of their opening Premier League match at Bolton tomorrow.

Da Silva agreed to move to the Stadium of Light from Mexican side Toluca last month but had to wait to be granted a visa before he could fly to England.

The paperwork has now been completed.

Assistant manager Eric Black said: "Paulo's work permit is sorted, his visa, his flights - you name it. He's en route as we speak and it will be great to have him here."

Anelka set to open Chelsea contract talks

France striker Nicolas Anelka is set to open talks with Chelsea over a new contract with the FA Cup holders, according to his agent.

Anelka finished as top scorer in the Premier League with 19 goals last season and the Blues are keen to reward the former Arsenal and Real Madrid star with an improved deal.

Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda have already agreed new Chelsea contracts during the close-season.

"Nicolas has two years left on his present contract and I think Chelsea would like to extend it," Anelka's agent, Doug Pingisi, said.

"We plan to sit down and have talks with Chelsea about Nicolas' future."

United linked with Neuer move

Manchester United are monitoring Schalke 04 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, coach Felix Magath revealed yesterday.

The 23-year-old has been part of the first-team set-up at Schalke for the past three years and is now firmly established as the club's number one.

Magath is keen to avoid any talk of a possible transfer for now, but admits he is aware of mounting interest in the young goalkeeper.

"I have heard Manchester United would be interested in signing Manuel Neuer," he told Die Welt. "But for as long as I don't receive a concrete approach, I will not make any statement about this."

Hull City snap up Hunt and Ghilas

Hull City have completed the signings of Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt and Celta Vigo striker Kamel Ghilas, the Premier League side said on their website yesterday.

Ireland international Hunt, 28, who joined Championship (second division) side Reading in 2005, moves for an undisclosed fee and has signed a four-year deal with the Tigers.

"He has made it known for some time that he was ready for a new challenge and this is a good move for all three parties," Nick Hammond, Reading's director of football, said.

Algerian international Ghilas also joins Hull for an undisclosed fee with the 25-year-old agreeing a four-year deal.

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